SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI-Oral sores can occur for many different reasons and they come in many different shapes and sizes, but more often than not they are painful, embarrassing and worrisome.

“Canker sores and cold sores are the most common types of oral lesions that we see in our dental office, and sometimes people get the symptoms and treatments confused. This could delay healing or lead to patients inadvertently infecting other people,” says Dr. Marc Barnett, a Springfield MO Invisalign provider.

Mouth sores may be the result of infections from bacteria, viruses or fungus. They can also be caused by a loose orthodontic wire, ill-fitting dentures, a broken tooth or filling, or something more serious like a disease or cancer.

Do you know how to tell the difference between a cold sore and a canker sore?

“Take our true or false quiz to find out if you’re right,” says Dr. Tracy Davis, a tooth bleaching specialist.

1. Cold sores are also called fever blisters or oral herpes.
   True. Oral herpes, also called herpes labialis, is an infection of the lips, mouth, or gums due to the herpes simplex virus. An outbreak often clears up on its own without treatment within a couple weeks, but there are home remedies and antiviral medication to help treat symptoms and alleviate discomfort. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001631/)
2. A white or yellow sore surrounded by a bright red area indicates a canker sore.
   True. They usually show up on the inner surface of the cheeks and lips, tongue, soft palate or gum tissue. It can take as long as three weeks for a canker sore to completely heal, but they do go away on their own. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001993/)
3. Cold sores are groups of fluid-filled blisters that typically erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or around the chin.
   True. Cold sores are small, red blisters that break open and leak clear or yellowish fluid, getting yellow and crusty as they heal. Several little blisters may group together to form a large blister.
4. Canker sores are contagious.
   False. Although canker sores aren’t contagious, they do tend to run in the family and are more common in women. Cold sores are extremely contagious, though. The virus can be contracted through intimate or personal contact, as well as sharing infected items like razors, towels or dishes. To prevent spreading the virus, wash your hands before touching other people, avoid kissing, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your lips from the sun.
5. Fatigue, stress and allergies can increase the likelihood of a canker sore.
   True. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also trigger a canker sore, especially a lack of iron, folic acid and vitamin B-12. The sores may show up after a mouth injury due to aggressive tooth cleaning or biting the tongue or cheek.
6. What you eat and drink won’t affect mouth sores.
   False. Avoiding hot beverages, spicy and salty foods and citrus when you have a canker or cold sore helps prevent aggravating the sore. Rinsing with salt water can help relieve discomfort for both kinds of mouth sores.
7. Canker sores can be cancerous.
   False. They are not cancerous, and they don’t cause cancer either. However, if they happen more than a couple times a year or last more than two weeks, you should see your doctor to rule out other illnesses and any chance of cancer, as the Springfield MO dentures specialist believes.
8. Cold sores can be triggered by fever or being exposed to the sun.
   True. Prior to an outbreak, you may have a sore throat, swollen glands or pain when swallowing. Itching, burning and tingling of the lips or skin around the mouth can also indicate that cold sores are developing.

“Mouth sores are nothing to be embarrassed about, so if you’re worried or have questions, let us know,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett, a family dentist since 1984.

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